Section: Population Figures and Profile

Sub-section: Geographical distribution

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Recurrent displacements in southern and central Somalia due to intermittent inter-factional conflicts (Sept 2004)

• An estimated 86,000 people were displaced in southern and central Somalia excluding Mogadishu
• There are about 15,000 IDPs in Kismayo among whom 8,000 from Bantu and 5,000 from Galgala origins (2002)
• Displacements caused by conflicts in Kismayo and Lower and Middle Juba regions in 2004
• Conflict between rebel forces and pro-government troops over the main port of Kismayo displaced hundreds of thousands of people in 2001
• Violent inter-clan conflict in Gedo in May and June 2004 forced 10,000 people to flee to Beletamin camp already hosting 4000 IDPs
• Violent conflict between the SRRC and the Juba Valley Alliance (JVA) have displaced 6000 people from Bulo Hawa in Gedo in 2002
• Conflict between the RRA over the establishment of the self-declared autonomous region of the South West State of Somalia which displaced about 5250 people in Baidoa Bay region subsided in 2004
• 240 families were displaced by clan fighting along the east and west bank of the Shabelle in Hiraan in February 2004
• In Galgadud between 2000-9000 families were displaced by conflict in November 2003
  
  

UNCU, 30 July 2002, p.1
“IDP caseload in southern and central Somalia, excluding Mogadishu, is approximately 86,000 persons (UNCU study 2002).”



UN, 15 June 2004, p.2,3
Middle and Lower Juba, capital: Kismayo
“Low-level conflict also continued in the far south, in Kismayo and the Lower and Middle Juba regions. While reports indicate that large-scale displacement resulting from clan warfare have taken place in each of the Bu’aale and Jilib districts of the Middle Juba region, insecurity has so far prevented a full assessment of these situations.”



UN, 18 November 2003, p.11,13
"These, together with 15,000 […] IDPs in Kismayo, are the most acutely vulnerable in southern and central Somalia, suffering from food insecurity and health threats.”



FSAU Nutrition Update, 31 December 2002
“About 60,000 of the estimated Kismayo District population of 88,000 (WHO NIDs figures, Oct 2002) live in Kismayo town. Among the residents are many internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have settled in over twenty camps […] within Kismayo town since 1992/93. These IDPs fled some high potential areas of Mareley, Sanguni, Mugambo, Jowhar, Mahaday, Brava and Bay Region due to insecurity.”



UNCU, 30 July 2002, p.25
“The portal town of Kismayo, which is the largest town in the Juba valley region, accommodates the largest IDP population in the region. Approximatey 15,000 IDPs the majority of whom are Bantu (8,000 persons), Galgala (5,000 persons), Tuni, Werdai, Ajuran and Ormala ethnic minority groups. The majority of IDPs are women and children.”



AFP 3 September 2001
“The JVA and Morgan have clashed in the nearby Lower Juba since July 27, leaving some 200 people dead and displaced hundreds of families, militia and medical sources said.

'Already dozens of families left and more others who can afford to get food during the voyage would go to Mogadishu and the port town of Merka,' said another Jilib resident, Asha Ibrahim."



AFP 6 August 2001
"The forces that captured Kismayo are made up of Morgan's Somali Patriotic Movement, drawn from the Darod clan, the Rahanwein Resistance Army, and the South Somali National Movement."



ACT, 17 September 2004
Gedo:
“A violent inter-clan conflict that broke out in Somalia's region of Bula Hawa in May, has caused an extensive internal displacement. ACT member on the ground has reported that 10 people were killed, hundreds injured, hundreds of households looted, and over 5,000 people displaced in Mandera, Kenya and Dolo in Ethiopia. The consequences of another wave of violence which followed in the beginning of June were even more catastrophic with 58 more people killed, 200 injured and 10,000 people internally and externally displaced. Trade within the town has been disrupted hindering alternative source of livelihood. The displaced population remains in poorly maintained collective camps and is lacking basics such clean drinking water and food. These already precarious conditions have been further exacerbated by this year's drought.
[…]
A population of 4,000 was displaced in Mandera and Dolo and a further 10,000 people have gone to Beletamin displacement camp which already hosts 4000 people. Other people are displaced in Siftu (Ethiopia) shirko and Malarey 15 Kms away from Bula Hawa and Mandera in Kenya.”



UNCU/OCHA 30 July 2002, p.25
“In April 2002, situation in Gedo drastically deteriorated due to intra-Marehan clan conflict, which flared up and caused the displacement of around 15,000 persons either across the Kenya border or throughout the region away from armed conflict area.”



UN, May 2002, p.2
"The most significant conflict during this reporting period took place in Gedo region in April, involving pro Somali Reconciliation and Restoration Council (SRRC) and pro Juba Valley Alliance (JVA) militia. These clashes have resulted in the death of innocent civilians and have left many injured. Approximately 6,000 people from Bulo Hawa have been displaced as a direct result of the conflict."



UNICEF 12 July 2001, sect. 1
"Heavy fighting in Bulo Hawo in April claimed the lives of over eighty militia and an unconfirmed number of civilian casualties. Up to 10,000 persons fled across the border to Mandera, Kenya. Although IDPs are now slowly returning to Bulo Hawo, the area remains tense and prolonged displacement may have an impact on food security."



UN, 15 June 2004, p.3
Bay region:
“Meanwhile, reconciliation efforts among the Rahanweyn have triggered the return of large numbers of IDPs to the villages surrounding Baydhaba in Bay region, more than 2,500 of who fled fighting amongst the Rahanweyn Resistance Army (RRA) in 2003. An estimated 1,200 remain in Waajid but these too are expected to return home. While the talks have yet to conclude, the area has been peaceful since they began in January 2004, and access has improved considerably.”



FSAU, 10 December 2003
“Civil insecurity in October [2003], close to Baidoa, led to an assessment by WFP, UNICEF, World Vision and ACF during November which found that up to 6,000 persons are estimated to have been displaced from civil insecurity in the area.”



OCHA, 28 November 2003
“The humanitarian situation in Bay and Bakool is dominated by the conflict and displacement of mainly women and children. As well as older men indicating the nature and severity of the conflict. Since June 2002, fighting in and around Baidoa between the combined militias of Muhammad Ibrahim Habsade (RRA Deputy Chairman) and Shaykh Adan Madobe (RRA Deputy Chairman), and the militia of Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud (RRA Chairman) has led to population displacement on a large scale. This fighting, predominantly between the clans of the Leysan and Harin, has led to some of the worst killings in the region since 1991. Although reliable information remains poor, fighting and the targeting of unarmed civilians, including women and children, the burning of huts and the looting of grain stores has been reported in a wide northern arc from Daynuney to the east (between Baidoa and Buurhakaba) to Awdiinley in the west. […] This has led to waves of displacement of people from Harin villages in Baidoa district to other Harin villages in Bay and Bakool regions, Buurhakaba, and Mogadishu.”



IRIN, 4 July 2002
“Tension had been rising in Baidoa, the headquarters of the RRA, due to a deepening split between Shatigadud and his deputies over the establishment of the self-declared autonomous region of the South West State of Somalia (SWS). Shatigadud was declared SWS president in late March [2002]."



WV, 29 January 2004
Bakool:
“The fighting that broke out in July 2002 escalated late last year leading to the displacement of an estimated 3,000 women and children who are now crowded into four camps in Waajid district, Bakool region.”



UN, 15 June 2004, p.2,3
Hiraan:
“Clan fighting in February 2004 displaced about 240 families from the west to the east bank of the Shabelle river in Belet Weyne, Hiraan region, as well as the more secure areas of the west bank. These families have for the most part been absorbed by relatives and are expected to return once the conflict subsides.”



UN, 15 June 2004, p.2
Galgaduud:
“Most notably, clan conflicts that started in April 2003 and continued intermittently into 2004, have displaced approximately 5,250 Somalis, primarily women, children and old men, in the Abudwaq district of Galagdud region. A prolonged dry season and the resultant scarcity of water has compounded their hardship and also stressed host communities’ ability to cope with the influx. As a result, the displaced persons have begun cutting threes to sell for charcoal and firewood, causing further damage to land. Water, shelter, food and health needs are significant and some assistance has been provided. But the fragile security situation continues to hamper a more comprehensive response. Efforts by religious leaders to reconcile the parties to the conflict have not yet taken root.”



UN SC, 12 February 2004
“Intense inter-clan fighting in the central region of Galguduud, in Abudwaaq and Murusade districts (see para. 26), forced some 9,000 people to flee to surrounding towns whose inhabitants are themselves suffering from food insecurity because of drought conditions.”
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